Comments on: Lope Departures

By: Running In Circles, Part 2 – America’s Horse Daily

Running In Circles, Part 2 – America’s Horse Daily — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 21:10:58 +0000

[...] Pick Your Speed The lead departure is where you choose the speed for your circle. When you pick up the bridle and push the horse’s [...]

By: Hunters 101, Part 1 – America’s Horse Daily

Hunters 101, Part 1 – America’s Horse Daily — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 10:03:56 +0000

[...] sure you work this exercise off both leads. Horses always have one side that is stronger than the other. Work his strong lead first for a [...]

By: Roomies – America’s Horse Daily

Roomies – America’s Horse Daily — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:03:42 +0000

[...] and hadn’t been ridden in years, I had an idea to saddle her up, take her to the indoor arena and lope some circles. You know, she hadn’t forgotten a [...]

By: Heads Up Horsemanship Part 2 – America’s Horse Daily

Heads Up Horsemanship Part 2 – America’s Horse Daily — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 10:02:27 +0000

[...] To start the pattern, some judges want you at the first cone. But what most judges look for is for you to be up there, set and ready to perform your pattern when the judge looks at you. I think it’s perfectly acceptable for you to be back one to two steps from the cone. For me, the most important thing is to have the next gait at the cone; being late is worse than being early. By giving your horse room to start, you can have your horse engaged by the time you pass the cone. If you start at the cone, you’ll look late by the time your horse is jogging or loping. [...]

By: Lisa Fulton

Lisa Fulton — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:55:01 +0000

I have a 4 year old paint gelding that needs more collection and strength in the loins. Any suggestions?

By: Tammi V

Tammi V — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:23:55 +0000

I have been reading your comments about horses that favor one lead over another. We have a gelding that will not pick up the right lead. Been to a trainer twice – takes him a bit as well and we get him back and he does the same thing with my daughter. After reading the above I can see that he does not yield very well at all. We are going to work on exercises to give him better strength and more flex.

By: PJ Gould

PJ Gould — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:22:05 +0000

I have an 8 yr old Standardbred I adopted from New Vocations in Ohio about 2 yrs ago, that I trail ride. He trained and raced at the age of 2 but only raced twice as he is too small and not fast enough. He’s 14.2 and has not loped under saddle consistently. He trots out and will lope 2-3 strides and then gets confused. In the pastures he lopes and gallops with his buddies. He has been in a round pen or in my paddock with a rider and loped a little but sometimes trys a short little buck and will trot again. Any suggestions?

By: Lonnie Antal

Lonnie Antal — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:35:08 +0000

Hi Kayla, Just wanted to let you know your suggestions are working. Every exercise I do (bending her neck, leg yields, shoulder ins etc) I do twice as much to the left. I have also been lunging her at a canter to the left only under saddle. So far picking up the lead seems to work best if I do a figure 8. As I come out of the right circle, break to a trot in the middle, and change directions (to the left), she will pick up her lead. Any other thoughts for picking up the lead correctly???? She is holding it better now once she is in, especially if I really encourage her and kiss. Thanks again!!!!

By: Lonnie Antal

Lonnie Antal — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 03:51:26 +0000

Hey Kayla, Thanks for the great suggestions – you gave me some solid ideas. I am moving her to an indoor arena, so I should be able to get some more consistent training done. I will check back in, in a week or two. Thanks again – much appreciated!

By: Kayla J

Kayla J — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:37:27 +0000

First off, you said she had no physical issues, however, I would beg to differ. Even if you have had her vet checked, there could be something hiding. While horses may have a favorite lead, they should be able to and comfortable using both leads. How is she about bending around your left leg? Does she flex her head the same both ways, standing and moving, without popping her shoulder or jowel? I would work on suppling the left side more. Also try two-tracking her at the trot.
I will assume that because she has favored the right lead, she is more muscled on that side, so you can’t ask her to hold the left lead as long. Work on short distances, take a break, then go back to it. Perhaps one day never asking for the right lead just to get her thinking ‘left’.
How is she on the lunge going to the left? If she picks it up there fine, then I would say that she is still unbalanced with a rider and that it will come with time.

By: Lonnie Antal

Lonnie Antal — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:15:48 +0000

I have a 4 year old mare that loves her right lead, so much so that even when she is in her left lead she will do a flying lead change to switch. She has no physical issues – I believe she is just a right leaded horse with a right handed rider. I have encouraged her to be more balanced on the left by doing larger circles and having her just move forward a lot by loping in the field. She also does not like picking up her left. I have practiced several things including loping out of a roll back, using the corners, shoulder ins, lifting up on the inside hand and using outside leg etc. All this is helping, just wondering if any one has any other suggestions???????